GDPR will be “game-changing” for Europe, says Ireland’s DPC

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be “game-changing” for businesses and people across Europe, according to Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon. This comes after our recent blog post about Dixon and the Irish government’s plans to push for more awareness of the GDPR with an information campaign throughout February and March.

Speaking at the opening of the Data Protection Commission’s (DPC) new headquarters in Dublin last month, Dixon said the GDPR is designed to enshrine the right to privacy and will include “key new rights for users to have better control of their personal data” and imposes “corresponding obligations on organisations that collect data”.

All of this is backed up by a new suite of enforcement powers, including imposing significant administrative fines of up to €20m or 4% of total annual global turnover, whichever is greater, for the most serious infringements. In addition, it will be easier for individuals to bring private claims against data controllers and to claim compensation for infringements of their privacy.

Preparing for the GDPR
The DPC recommends that all organisations start preparing for the implementation of the GDPR by carrying out a “review and enhance” analysis of all current or envisaged processing in line with the Regulation.

The DPC adds:

“This will allow time to ensure that you have adequate procedures in place to deal with the improved transparency, accountability and individuals’ rights provisions, as well as optimising your approach to governance and how to manage data protection as a corporate issue. It is essential to start planning your approach to GDPR compliance as early as you can, and to ensure a cohesive approach amongst key people in your organisation.”

List of free GDPR resources

To help you understand the obligations and requirements of the Regulation, IT Governance has produced the following free resources:

Video: What does the GDPR mean for your business in the EU?
Alan Calder, the founder and executive chairman of IT Governance, answers the important questions surrounding the GDPR and how it affects businesses.

Green Paper: EU General Data Protection Regulation – A Compliance Guide
Learn how the GDPR will affect your organisation by understanding what the Regulation is, what key changes it introduces, and its scope and impact.

Webinars: Supporting you in your GDPR compliance project
Watch recordings of our 2016 GDPR webinar series, or register for our upcoming series, in which our privacy experts will guide you through the various requirements of the Regulation.